Ice Skating

Ice-skating with Indonesians makes for great entertainment. No, its not just the trill of gliding along the ice and doing triple sow-cows that got me excited (ok, I'm really not all that good myself), but instead the gut-busting hilarity of watching people step, and fall on the ice for the first time... and the second... and the 64th time. We skated at a mall where the glass-walled rink is surrounded by a huge food court. So not only do you have the humility of falling, but falling in front of over 500 people who are eating their fried rice. We skated for more than 5 hours and all left a little wet on the bottom but with stomaches aching from all the laughter and fun.
These two friends graduated from the top technology university in Indonesia, but knowing the ins and outs of frictional resistance and gravity forces doesn't prevent you from experiencing them. Having never skated before in his life, this little guy was gliding around with no problem after just a few minutes of help. It sure helps to start young.


Gerry was a champion. He had to have fallen at least 64 times or more during our 5 hours of skating, but he kept getting up and trying again until he got it down. This was just one of several wipe-outs that I caught on video. Enjoy!

Idul Fitri Holiday

Idul Fitri is the biggest holiday in Indonesia. It's kind of like the Indonesian equivalent of Christmas (although they have Christmas too). Universities and schools are out for two weeks, businesses close down for a number of days, and families leave the big cities to return home for celebrations with extended family. A tradition of "house-to-house" visiting also exists. My housemates and I took advantage of the opportunity and visited the home of our house helper, Ibu Yoyo (center, in the red dress). Throughout the year we pay her to come and cook two meals a day and wash and iron all our clothes. She's great.
We visited Ibu Yoyo's house for an hour and a half and enjoyed a wide selection of special foods, including ketupat, the rice dish above that is cooked inside a package of woven coconut leaves.

Idul Fitri is celebrated as the breaking of the fasting month. For one month many of the people in this country fast during the days (from 4:30 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening) from all food and drink. During this month, the fast is often broken in the evenings with the sweet fruit dish shown above.

Surprise Birthday Party

My Birthday in Indo!

Indonesia flips things around when it comes to celebrating birthdays. Instead of getting treated out, you're the one who "gets" to treat others out. Despite the differences in cultures, I greatly enjoyed my first Indonesian birthday. The cake above was the product of a cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, decorations, and candles sent over by my dear sister and baked by a close American friend.
I found a restaurant where birthdays are free, so I took advantage of the offer and ordered a tenderloin steak, pancakes with strawberries on top (not pictured), and avocado juice mixed with chocolate. The latter might not sound real appetizing, but it actually is quite tasty. I'm not sure which made my friends happier, my birthday or the free food that I treated them to. I'm guessing it was more the food, but we had a great time anyways!

Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival

This past Tuesday I had the privilege of celebrating "Mid-Autumn Festival" with my Vietnamese friends. They cooked up a feast of traditional foods (below) and topped it off with a "lantern" star (above) like those traditionally made by children in Vietnam during this holiday.